So You Want to be a Writer
Australian Writers' Centre
Everything you’ve always wanted to know about succeeding in the world of writing and publishing. Learn practical writing techniques, go behind-the-scenes and discover how real-life authors got their big break. Uncover the creative processes of writers who have made it. Your host is Valerie Khoo – author, journalist, creative and CEO of the Australian Writers’ Centre.
Episodes
Mentioned books
May 27, 2019 • 53min
WRITER 283: Meet historical fiction author of ‘The Land Girls’, Victoria Purman.
Enter The Moth's short story competition. Meet historical fiction author of 'The Land Girls', Victoria Purman. A new course on writing chapter books for kids is coming soon. Plus, we have 3 copies of 'The Library Book' by Susan Orlean up for grabs and more. Read the show notes. Email Valerie and Allison podcast@writerscentre.com.au. WritersCentre.com.au | AllisonTait.com | ValerieKhoo.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
May 22, 2019 • 1h 1min
WRITER 282: Meet Melina Marchetta, author of 'The Place on Dalhousie'.
How to stay afloat during a freelance writing slump. Meet Melina Marchetta, author of 'The Place on Dalhousie' and hear about her writing career. Why you should take time to live life (not just write all the time) and discover your chance to win ‘Getting There’ by Instagram star Mari Andrew. Read the show notes. Email Valerie and Allison podcast@writerscentre.com.au. WritersCentre.com.au | AllisonTait.com | ValerieKhoo.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
May 13, 2019 • 47min
WRITER 281: Meet Paige Toon, bestselling author of 'If You Could Go Anywhere'.
Meet Paige Toon, bestselling author of 'If You Could Go Anywhere’. Learn about the best etiquette when approaching agents. Bad ways to open your story. Plus, we have 3 copies of ‘The Beekeeper of Aleppo’ by Christy Lefteri to give away and more. Read the show notes. Email Valerie and Allison podcast@writerscentre.com.au. WritersCentre.com.au | AllisonTait.com | ValerieKhoo.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
May 8, 2019 • 53min
WRITER 280: Meet AWC alumna Astrid Scholte, author of ‘Four Dead Queens’.
Meet AWC alumna Astrid Scholte, author of ‘Four Dead Queens’. Discover why you should write your query letter first! We have 3 copies of ‘A Woman of No Importance’ by Sonia Purnell up for grabs. Plus, don’t miss your chance to see So You Want To Be A Writer live. Read the show notes. Email Valerie and Allison podcast@writerscentre.com.au. WritersCentre.com.au | AllisonTait.com | ValerieKhoo.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Apr 30, 2019 • 60min
WRITER 279: Meet Renee Knight, author of psychological thriller 'The Secretary'.
Learn what agents look for in authors and meet Renee Knight, author of psychological thriller 'The Secretary’. Don't miss your chance to see So you want to be a writer LIVE! We are giving away tickets to see ‘Long Shot’ starring Seth Rogan and Charlize Theron. Plus, Echo Publishing submissions are open for a short time and more. Read the show notes. Email Valerie and Allison podcast@writerscentre.com.au. WritersCentre.com.au | AllisonTait.com | ValerieKhoo.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Apr 22, 2019 • 41min
WRITER 278: Meet AWC alumna Tania Blanchard, author of 'Suitcase of Dreams'.
Meet AWC alumna Tania Blanchard, author of 'Suitcase of Dreams'. Why you should encourage your kids to keep a journal. Is it ‘just desserts’ or ‘just deserts’? Plus, we have 3 copies of 'The French Photographer' by Natasha Lester to give away and more. Read the show notes. Email Valerie and Allison podcast@writerscentre.com.au. WritersCentre.com.au | AllisonTait.com | ValerieKhoo.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Apr 15, 2019 • 51min
WRITER 277: Meet AWC alumna Megan Blandford, author of 'I'm Fine (and other lies)'.
What happens when writing is hard? Meet AWC alumna Megan Blandford, author of 'I'm Fine (and other lies): Postnatal depression, motherhood and trying to actually be fine'. We share tips on how to cut mundane elements from your story. Plus, there are double passes to ‘The Chaperone’ up for grabs. Read the show notes. Email Valerie and Allison podcast@writerscentre.com.au. WritersCentre.com.au | AllisonTait.com | ValerieKhoo.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Apr 10, 2019 • 1h 13min
WRITER 276: Meet Amie Kaufman, international bestselling author of YA and middle-grade fiction.
International bestselling author Amie Kaufman joins us to chat about her YA and middle grade fiction. We have double passes to ‘Burning’, a film based on a story by Haruki Murakami, to give away. You’ll also learn the meaning of vicissitude and more! Read the show notes. Email Valerie and Allison podcast@writerscentre.com.au. WritersCentre.com.au | AllisonTait.com | ValerieKhoo.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Apr 4, 2019 • 56min
WRITER 275: Meet Peg Fraser, author of 'Black Saturday: Not the End of the Story'
What you need on your author website. Meet Peg Fraser, author of 'Black Saturday: Not the End of the Story’. Learn how to supercharge your fiction writing. Our new online course Fiction Essentials: Dialogue has launched. Plus, we have 3 copies of Alexander McCall Smith’s latest novel, ‘The Department of Sensitive Crimes’ to give away. Read the show notes. Email Valerie and Allison podcast@writerscentre.com.au. WritersCentre.com.au | AllisonTait.com | ValerieKhoo.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Mar 25, 2019 • 47min
WRITER 274: Meet AWC alumni and former Buzzfeed editor-at-large Jenna Guillaume, author of 'What I Like About Me'.
Australian literary festivals to add to your diary. Meet Jenna Guillaume, AWC alumni and former Buzzfeed editor-at-large and author of 'What I Like About Me'. Valerie tries to impress Allison with more 'Word of the Week' prowess. Plus, we have three copies of 'Gravity is the Thing' by bestselling author Jaclyn Moriarty to give away. Read the show notes. Email Valerie and Allison podcast@writerscentre.com.au. WritersCentre.com.au | AllisonTait.com | ValerieKhoo.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
